On the go, the fast path is how many of us live our lives; it is important to, in the midst of everyday, take time for yourself and maintain a healthy balance between work and play. Making time for yourself is necessary in order to succeed in all areas of your life, as well as your work life! Here are a few simple ways to limit stress induced by work.
Find a Hobby
Whether it be painting, hiking, or cooking, it’s important to find something you are passionate about and enjoy in order to get out of your work mindset and relax. Career is important, but your mental health is equally as important. Everyone needs an outlet after work or on the weekends to step away from their jobs and into their happy place.
Walk on Your Lunch Break
For those who sit in office chairs majority of the day, your lunch break might be your only opportunity to get up and get moving for an extended period of time. Exercising is proven to reduce stress and release endorphins, and getting a friend at work to take a few laps outside can get you away from your screen and your mind off of meetings and deadlines. Incorporating this healthy habit into your daily routine is an easy switch and especially important if you find yourself struggling to make enough time to workout before or after work.
Practice Deep Breathing
Stress causes fast breathing, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. All of these things can be controlled by incorporating deep breathing exercises into your day. Right before you fall asleep or right after you wake up, take a second to notice how relaxed and at ease your body is. That is the result of deep, controlled breaths and recreating those deep breaths is something you can do right at your desk, in traffic, before a meeting, or even in the evening before bed to wind down. Be sure to follow proper techniques to avoid becoming light headed or dizzy.
Treat Yourself
Everyone deserves to be spoiled once in a while and an occasional splurge can leave you feeling less stressed out more ready to take on your work life. So go on that shopping spree and treat yourself to trendy stylish office outfits that leave you feeling confident and fresh. Be spontaneous and book that dance class with a friend you’ve been wanting to try. Take a vacation to visit family or old friends and catch up to feel at home. Maybe even plan an exotic trip overseas to totally get out of your comfort zone and feel excited. If you’re looking to relax, book a luxury cruise and soak up the sun with friends.
These are just a few of the many ways to reduce work stress that may be affecting you both in and out of the office. The good news is, you can start with small changes like fitting in a little more exercise and focused breathing all the way up to bigger more drastic changes like booking a vacation getaway to decompress. Whatever steps you take are steps forward to managing how you handle stress, and knowing what your mind and body needs.
